How to Collect High-Quality Breast Cancer Surveillance Data
Slide 8

(Talking Points and Text Description of Slide)

Slide 8 — Regional Lymph Nodes for Breast (1)

Talking Points

The next two slides describe regional lymph nodes for the breast. Lymph drainage from the breast begins with the axillary lymph nodes, which are located from the underarm to the collarbone. The interpectoral or Rotter nodes are classified as axillary lymph nodes. The axillary lymph nodes are sometimes described as level I, II, or III. The lowest level nodes are closest to the breast, and distance from the breast increases as the level number increases. The internal mammary lymph nodes are located under the sternum. They may also be called parasternal lymph nodes. The prefix “para” indicates that they are located around the sternum. The internal mammary lymph nodes are rarely excised in current treatment protocols.

Text Description of Slide

• Axillary lymph nodes
• Located in the underarm to the collarbone
• Include interpectoral or Rotter nodes


• Internal mammary (parasternal) lymph nodes
• Tucked under the sternum